Freshman running back Me'co Brown led NIU with 1110 all-purpose yards during the 2008 season. The 5-foot-7, 180-pounder had two 100-yard games on the ground and was second on the team with 510 rushing yards on 110 carries. Brown led NIU's potent ground-attack three times and also scored two rushing touchdowns.

April 14, 2009

Freshman running back Me'co Brown recently took time out of his busy Spring Practice schedule to speak with NIUHuskies.com. The 5-foot-7, 180-pounder from Moss Point, Miss. discussed numerous topics, such as when his pants fell down during a game in high school and his desire to learn how to play the piano.

NIU/Sports Related:

Why did you decide to come to NIU? When I was younger, I always wanted to play football far away from home. When I visited the campus, I fell in love with this place. The coaches were great and I really felt deep-down that there was a family atmosphere here. I also felt like I could graduate and that's my number one goal in college.

What do you enjoy most about being an athlete at NIU? Just having the opportunity to go to college. Everybody wants to get a college degree and to play football at the same time is a very special opportunity.

What is the hardest part about being a student athlete? Waking up so early in the morning and having to do so many things outside of practice. We have to wake up at 5 a.m. for conditioning and lifting sessions. Then we have to complete a certain number of hours at study tables, along with all the time spent in class. There is no time to procrastinate.

If you could accomplish just one thing while at NIU, what would it be? I really want to graduate and make my family happy. On the field, I want to be one of the best players to come through this program. I want to be respected by everybody and remembered for having a great work ethic, a positive attitude and one of the biggest hearts NIU has ever seen.

How do you prepare for a big game? I try to focus and think to myself. I listen to my iPod and visualize the game situations. I usually talk to myself and even say a little pep talk in my head. When the game starts, I just relax and let my natural abilities take over. I try to stay calm and have fun.

What is the best advice you've ever received from one of your coaches? Go out on the field and relax. Too many players are so uptight when they are on the field because they don't want to make mistakes. I was always told that nobody is perfect and that I shouldn't think about possible mistakes because that type of mindset will hurt on-field performance.

Who is your all-time favorite football player? Reggie Bush.

Personal:

What is your favorite meal? Fried Chicken, cornbread and macaroni and cheese.

What actor would play you in a movie about your life? Rob Brown (actor who portrayed former Heisman winner and Syracuse running back Ernie Davis in the 2008 film, The Express)

If you could have a superhero power, what would it be? The ability to read minds.

What type of music would we find on your iPod? Lots of rappers from the South, like Gucci Mane, Plies, Juicy J and Lil Wayne.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an NFL player, that's always been my goal.

What is your favorite class? Sociology 170.

What is your favorite activity outside of sports? I love watching highlight tapes of the NFL players who inspire me on the football field. I'm constantly watching players who I admire, such as Reggie Bush, Adrian Peterson, Devin Hester and Steve Smith.

If you could have dinner with three people in history, who would you pick? Reggie Bush, Keyshia Cole (Grammy-nominated R&B singer) and my mom. I love Reggie Bush's style of play and I'm in love with Keyshia Cole. She's so beautiful and has such an amazing singing voice. My mother is my ultimate inspiration.

What is the talent you'd most like to have? I'd really like to know how to play the piano. I love watching people play the piano. I think the ability to play the piano is a gift from god. I'm going to learn how someday.

I am the video game champion of... Street Fighter.

The TV show I can't stop watching right now is... The Jamie Foxx Show.

My favorite all-time movie is... The Lion King.

Funniest thing that's ever happened to me is... My pants fell down during a game my freshman year of high school. It was the fourth quarter and I didn't think I was going to play anymore. But the coach put me in and I had forgotten to tighten my belt.

The words I try to live by are.. Believe. Always believe.

Something few people know about me is... I'm very, very passionate about everything. My emotions are always sky-high.